C18.9: Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
C18.9, malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 9 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 66 HCPCS Level II codes, including C9726 (Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into…), Q5129 (Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mg), Q5126 (Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mg). 4 of these codes have a 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule amount; E0783 pays $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU) depending on the state. The articles come from 3 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with C18.9 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C9726 | Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into breast for intraoperative radiation therapy, add-on to primary breast procedure | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q5129 | Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5126 | Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5118 | Injection, bevacizumab-bvzr, biosimilar, (zirabev), 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5107 | Injection, bevacizumab-awwb, biosimilar, (mvasi), 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J9035 | Injection, bevacizumab, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J3590 | Unclassified biologics | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| C9257 | Injection, bevacizumab, 0.25 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q5160 | Injection, bevacizumab-nwgd (jobevne), biosimilar, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0105 | Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| G9998 | Documentation of medical reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., last colonoscopy incomplete, last colonoscopy had inadequate prep, piecemeal removal of adenomas, or sessile serrated polyps >= 20 mm in size, last colonoscopy found greater than 10 adenomas, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, or patient at high risk for colon cancer due to underlying medical history ([i.e. crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, personal or family history of colon cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes]) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G9999 | Documentation of system reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., unable to locate previous colonoscopy report, patient cannot provide precise date or details from previous colonoscopy, previous colonoscopy report was incomplete) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J0461 | Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0153 | Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any adenosine phosphate compounds) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1250 | Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0280 | Injection, aminophyllin, up to 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1245 | Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8999 | Prescription drug, oral, chemotherapeutic, nos | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q0512 | Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for a subsequent prescription in a 30-day period | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q0511 | Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for the first prescription in a 30-day period | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8530 | Cyclophosphamide; oral, 25 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8597 | Antiemetic drug, oral, not otherwise specified | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8610 | Methotrexate; oral, 2.5 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8498 | Antiemetic drug, rectal/suppository, not otherwise specified | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0881 | Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
41 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.
Medicare policy articles listing C18.9
- A56684: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L37779
- A52370: Billing and Coding: Bevacizumab and biosimilars (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 8 Level II codes)
- A56632: Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34005, L34454
- A54768: Billing and Coding: Cardiac Blood Pool Imaging (Multiple Gated Acquisition Scanning- MUGA, Ventriculography) When Performed in Conjunction with Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes)
- A52479: Oral Anticancer Drugs - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC); 8 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33826
- A56462: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA) (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 7 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34356
- A56748: Billing and Coding: White Cell Colony Stimulating Factors (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 16 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L37176
- A56695: Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33461
- A56612: Billing and Coding: CT of the Head (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34417
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other C18 diagnoses (Malignant neoplasm of colon)
- C18.0 — Malignant neoplasm of cecum
- C18.1 — Malignant neoplasm of appendix
- C18.2 — Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon
- C18.3 — Malignant neoplasm of hepatic flexure
- C18.4 — Malignant neoplasm of transverse colon
- C18.5 — Malignant neoplasm of splenic flexure
- C18.6 — Malignant neoplasm of descending colon
- C18.7 — Malignant neoplasm of sigmoid colon
- C18.8 — Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of colon
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover C18.9 (Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 9 Medicare billing and coding articles list C18.9 as a covered diagnosis for 66 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 C18.9?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are C9726 (Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into…, 1 article); Q5129 (Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mg, 1 article); Q5126 (Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mg, 1 article); Q5118 (Injection, bevacizumab-bvzr, biosimilar, (zirabev), 10 mg, 1 article); Q5107 (Injection, bevacizumab-awwb, biosimilar, (mvasi), 10 mg, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with C18.9?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule (non-rural state fees): E0783 $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU); E0786 $10,969.75 to $11,380.88 (NU); E0782 $5,200.92 to $6,118.73 (NU); E0785 $572.38 to $673.39 (KF). Medicare pays 80% of the allowed amount after the Part B deductible.
Which Medicare policy articles list C18.9?
A56684 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Radiation Therapy); A52370 (Billing and Coding: Bevacizumab and biosimilars); A56632 (Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy), and 6 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code C18.9?
C18.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified, in category C18 (Malignant neoplasm of colon), chapter 2: Neoplasms.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under C9726
- Watch C9726 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for C9726
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.